Luxury Golf & Travel To New Zealand
Luxury Golf & Travel To New Zealand
Recognized as a New Zealand golfing treasure this fabled statesmen is a top course thanks to its challenging and thoughtful true links layout
Nestled on the Kapiti coast, approximately 40 miles north of Wellington, lies The Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club (affectionately known as “Parapar’m” or “Pram” to locals). This iconic course, often considered the spiritual home of New Zealand golf since its inception in the early 1950s, is renowned as one of the world’s finest links courses and a testament to the sport’s Golden Age of design.
Designed by Sir Alex Russell, a collaborator of the legendary Alister MacKenzie, Paraparaumu Beach has been consistently ranked among the top 100 courses globally by Golf Magazine. Its reputation is rooted in the same qualities that define the legendary Scottish links courses: rolling fairways, deep pot bunkers, and greens meticulously sculpted into dunes. Although set back from the beach, the wind remains a constant presence, challenging players to strategize and execute their shots with precision.
Stretching to 6577 yards with a 72.4 rating and a slope of 125, Paraparaumu Beach offers a captivating blend of beauty, challenge, and thought-provoking golf. Beyond the course’s allure, the club’s warm and welcoming atmosphere is equally renowned. From the experienced club professional, Leo Barber, to his dedicated staff and local members, a visit to Paraparaumu Beach is a memorable experience, celebrating both the shared passion for golf and the unique character of its grounds.
"I loved it instantly. We had nothing like it in Australia." Its unique character, unlike anything I'd encountered in Australia, must have captivated Alex Russell, the brilliant layout designer. Course design is a true art form, and volcanic sand provides an ideal medium for sculpting masterpiece layouts. Russell must have been overjoyed to work with such a remarkable canvas. "After Russell's departure, we were left with a true gem – a golf course that is both a monument to the game and a gift to future generations. Even when we're all gone, Paraparaumu will still be here, just as it was when the first golfers arrived. The offshore island of Kapiti will stand guard, ensuring its preservation. And the wind will continue to challenge golfers' skills and integrity. Paraparaumu will be renowned for centuries to come.
5th: Par-3 with an approach to an island green with sides so severe it looks like it floats above the nearby undulations.
11th: Par-4 with a daunting approach shot to the green for shot shaping. A pull to the left relegates the ball to out of bounds while a single bunker to the right hardly serves as a bailout.
13th: Par-4 with a great background of the Tararua mountains range (the name of the hole as well). ‘Russell’s Ravine’ should be avoided at all costs. Short approaches will be swallowed and, although the hole does not have a single bunker, getting up and down from that area is nearly impossible.
17th: This par-4 features a split fairway that demands accuracy not only off the tee but on the approach as well, thanks to dual bunkers which guard the green.
18th: At 547 yards this hole is not a long par-5, however with water on the right side and a myriad of bunkers, it is not easy. It’s pretty fun to look at the green complex from the plaque which designates where Grant Waite scored a double-eagle in 1992 via a 2-iron.
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#26 in the World
(Golf Digest)
